Call for Abstracts
If any participates wish to present a poster or paper presentation at MACHS this year, please be sure to submit your abstract to the Chairperson ASAP. If you need any audio or visual equipment, please let us know.
Remember, submitting an abstract to MACHS does not qualify your paper for presentation at the national ASHS-ACB meeting. You must submit a separate abstract to the ASHS program committee chairperson. The enclosed rules and abbreviated score sheets are identical to ACB rules, and will be used by MACHS. Up to 4 awards will be presented each year. If fewer than 5 papers are presented, the judges will decide on the number of awards to offer. Judges will be selected from the attending club’s advisors.
Please keep in mind that the paper and poster presentations do not have to be a research paper. Category descriptions include:
1. Independent Research (basic and applied science)
2. Design (floral art, landscape design, or any other creative use of plants)
3. Consumer Service (education, economics, extension, therapy)
Abstract Preparation Instructions
Abstracts should be concise, one-paragraph summations of the work findings. Include the names of organisms, chemicals, effects of major treatments (if applicable), and major conclusions. For additional information and examples, see the “ASHS Publications Manual” or the “Plans and Call for Papers” for the upcoming ASHS-ACB annual meeting.
Specific Instructions:
1. CAPITALIZE THE TITLE, starting at the left margin.
2. Use single spacing. Underline the author’s(s') name(s), first name first, followed by the full address. Use an asterisk (*) to indicate which author will present the paper. Faculty advisors should not be listed as co-authors, rather they may be recognized by listing their names in parentheses in the by-line.
3. Start the text of the abstract on the next line, indented 5 spaces.
Sample Abstract
DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF TOPPING TREES
Leslie E. Tix*, Horticulture Department, University of Minnesota-Waseca,
Waseca, MN
56093. (Dr. John Ball, Faculty Advisor)
This presentation is aimed at educating people on the harmful effects of topping trees. Topping being the removal of major branches at inner nodes. The creation of weak branch attachments, disease invasion related to stress, and death due to defoliation will be the main points emphasized. Material will be presented by the use of slides and from information gathered from text and magazine articles. A brief discussion of proper limb removal practices will end the presentation.
Rules and Procedures Governing the Paper and Poster Presentations at the MACHS Annual Convention*
Purpose
1. To stimulate interest in horticulture and horticultural research among undergraduate college students.
2. To provide students in horticulture the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their ability to think, to organize their thoughts, and to express them in a scholarly manner.
Eligibility for Presentation
1. Any undergraduate member of a student horticulture club holding current membership in the ASHS Association of Collegiate Branches (ACB).
2. A former member of such a club not more than one academic year removed from graduation with a BS degree and whose research was completed prior to graduation.
3. Any paid-up undergraduate student member of ASHS at an institution not having a student horticulture club affiliated with ACB.
4. The member must have submitted an abstract of the paper to be presented to the person designated by MACHS on or before the deadline indicated in the “Call for Abstracts” each year. Abstracts received after the deadline may be accepted provided time is available for presentation. However, such papers will not be considered for awards nor will points for them be awarded to the students’ club.
5. Undergraduate students may present papers on any subject category applicable to Horticulture. Subjects may include (but are not limited to): Pomology (including tree fruits and nuts), Viticulture & Small Fruits, Tropical & Subtropical Fruits, Vegetable Crops, Floriculture, Ornamental & Landscape Horticulture, Bedding Plants, Turfgrass, Food Science, Post-harvest Horticulture (including marketing and utilization), Horticulture Survey, and Extension and/or Teaching Methods & Techniques (as related to Horticulture). All papers from affiliated clubs (or eligible individual ASHS members) can compete for awards.
Multiple Authorships
1. When two or more eligible students are involved actively in a cooperative project, they may be listed as co-authors of one or more eligible papers resulting from the project. For example, Jane Doe may be listed as senior author of a paper with John Doe as co-author. However, the number of presentations shall be limited to only one per senior author, and only the senior author (who presents the paper) is eligible for an award.
2. Faculty advisors should not be listed as co-authors, but may be recognized my listing their name(s) in parentheses in the by line.
3. Sample bylines: Linda Reider, Department of Horticulture, Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO 80523 (James E. Klett and Harrison G. Hughes, Faculty Advisors)
4. Only the senior author selected for awards shall receive the award certificate.
*Adapted from the ACB Guidelines in the ASHS Policy Manual
Scope of Subject
Papers must deal with a subject related to the science or the art of horticulture.
Presentation Methods
1. Student authors have an option of either ORAL or POSTER presentations. Score sheets for each presentation method have different criteria, but the highest scoring papers in each category will receive the awards.
2. For oral presentations, presentation time should be 11 to 13 minutes. A penalty of 3 points per minute up to a maximum penalty of 6 points will be imposed for each minute over 13 or less than 11 minutes. Speakers are to pay particular attention to the quality of their visual aids, rehearse their presentation thoroughly, and stay within their allotted time. A 35mm-slide projector and an overhead projector will be available along with a computer with a CD ROM drive. Authors are encouraged to bring their own slide carousels. Abstracts that cannot be accommodated in oral sessions due to time constraints will be assigned to poster sessions if the author on the Abstract Form indicates this alternative.
3. A space 1.2m x 1.2m (47” x 47”) will be available for each poster. There is no limit to the number of posters that an author can present, but space limitation will dictate the maximum number of posters accepted for the meeting. (Posters will be accepted on a first come first serve basis, i.e. the abstracts received first will be the first to get a space.) Titles, names and affiliations should appear on the top of the poster. A simple font, i.e. Helvetica, should be used. Lettering for the title should be at least 1 inch. The author’s names and affiliation may be somewhat smaller. Authors are urged to use photographs to assist in author identification. Do not prepare a poster as if it were a manuscript. Primarily use tables and figures and limit verbiage. Details of the work can be provided in discussions with interested parties. Pushpins should be used and brought by the presenters. Double sided tape is not adequate for mounting.
4. For poster presentations, authors must be at their posters for the duration of an assigned period to answer questions and to discuss the information being presented. However, the question/discussion period with the panel of judges shall be limited to 15 minutes.
5. During the question period of the presentations, the student is to answer the questions. It is the responsibility of the advisors to refrain from answering questions. The judges score the student’s ability to answer questions from the audience and the judges.
Judging
1. The MACHS planning committee of the school hosting the contest shall select a panel of 6 judges, of which one will be an alternate judge.
2. A member of the judging panel shall not judge a paper presented by a student from the same institution, or a paper by a student whom he/she has advised during the project. The alternate judge shall judge such papers.
3. Judging shall be accomplished during and immediately following the presentations, with results given to the MACHS Chairperson who, in turn, shall be responsible for having the award citations prepared.
4. Judging shall be based on criteria on the accompanying score sheets.
5. On completion of the judging, the judges shall discuss the presentations to provide comments so that the Chair of the Collegiate Activities Committee can provide feedback to the students.
Awards
1. Awards shall be appropriate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
2. Awards shall be presented at the MACHS banquet.
Compiled by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Horticulture Society for use as guidelines for MACHS.
Revised 12/03.
Abbreviated Score Sheet for Poster Presentations
Maximum Points (100 possible)
I. Preparation
5 Is the subject of importance and of interest or value?
20 Was the work well-conceived and properly executed?
5 Was the Abstract prepared in accordance with instructions and does it contain information on methods and results?
II. Presentation of Work
25 Appearance: was the poster prepared in accordance with instructions?
25 Communications: is the poster concise, logical, and self-explanatory?
10 Summary statement(s): were the conclusions valid?
III. Dexterity of the Author
10 Knowledge of the subject: ability to answer questions from the audience and judges.
Abbreviated Score Sheet for Oral Presentations
Maximum Points (100 possible)
I. Preparation
5 Is the subject of importance and of interest or value?
25 Was the work well planned, in relation to the subject area chosen, and the resulting plan carried out thoroughly and effectively?
5 Was the Abstract prepared in accordance with instructions and does it contain information on methods and results?
II. Presentation
25 Was the paper well organized with respect to purpose, previous work, clarity, logical sequence, and proportion?
20 Was the presentation scholarly, with particular reference to appropriate grammar, diction, use of visual aids, knowledge of subject matter, and ability to answer questions from the audience and the judges?
10 Visuals (preparation and effective use)
10 Were the conclusions valid?
III. Penalty
-6 Length of presentation should be 11-13 minutes. Speaker shall be penalized 3 points per minute for each minute over 13 or under 11 minutes, up to a maximum of 6 points.
